US Officials' Talks with Houthi Representatives in Oman

US officials recently met with Houthi representatives at the US embassy in Muscat, the capital of Oman. This meeting took place after the Houthis took control of thousands of square kilometers of Yemeni territory within a few days.

Houthi Control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait

The strategic areas and vast coasts of the Red Sea in Yemen are now under Houthi control, who have gained dominance over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key point for global transportation and energy supply. In this meeting, the Houthis assured US officials that they have no intention of attacking the US fleet in the Red Sea and will only impose restrictions on vessels linked to Saudi Arabia.

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Global Concerns About Energy Market Impacts

However, these statements may not alleviate concerns. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the two major maritime transport routes in the world, has faced restrictions over the past six months, and any new disruption could raise global oil prices. This issue will pose new political challenges for Donald Trump, the President of the United States, ahead of the midterm elections in November.

Some experts are worried that the Houthis' statements may not be trustworthy, especially given their history of attacking commercial vessels and their close ties with Iran. Meanwhile, some analysts believe that Washington may have no choice but to accept this group under current conditions, as US military resources are heavily engaged in the war with Iran.

Saudi Efforts to Garner US Support

In the meantime, reports indicate that Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, contacted Trump twice last week, asking him to attack this group. However, the US President refrained from taking this action. Additionally, Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia to discuss emergency cooperation with the Crown Prince.

Trump is also trying to assure Saudi Arabia that it is a good friend and everything will go well, but he has not offered any specific military commitments, and the White House has not provided any guarantees for the defense of Saudi energy infrastructure or its maritime routes.

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